Key points to remember about arm plasters

plasters and splints are applied to prevent the bones from moving and to allow the fracture time to rest and heal
after being sent home, take your child back to the accident and emergency department urgently if:
– they complain of worsening pain
– their hand goes cold, pale or blue (or becomes increasingly swollen)
– they complain of fuzziness, numbness, pins and needles or tingling in the fractured limb or fingers
– they are unable to move their fingers
it is very important that your child returns for their follow-up appointments

What is the purpose of a plaster or splint?

Plasters (also called casts or plaster casts) and splints are applied to prevent the bones from moving. This allows the fracture (broken bone) time to rest and heal.

Waiting for the plaster to dry

An arm plaster cast takes 24 hours to dry.

While your child is waiting for the plaster to dry, have them rest it on something soft, such as a pillow or in a sling. Hard surfaces may damage your child’s plaster.

The following DOs and DON'Ts are some guidelines to help you care for your child while they have their plaster on.

Some DOs

do rest the plaster on something soft until dry; use a pillow when sitting or lying down or support the arm in a sling, especially for the first 48 hours, to prevent swelling
do make sure your child frequently exercises their fingers
do get your child to gently exercise the joint above the plaster (their elbow and / or shoulder) as pain allows, to avoid stiffness
do check the colour of your child’s fingers – they should be pink; squeeze the nail white, then release. They should return immediately to pink
do watch for swelling – compare it to the other hand - are they about the same size?
do keep your cast clean and dry
do check around the plaster for any smells – plasters do have a slight smell but should not be unpleasant
do ring the accident and emergency department or contact your medical team if you are worried

Some DON’Ts

don’t use hairdryers or other drying equipment to dry the plaster – they may burn your child or crack the plaster; let the plaster dry naturally
don’t press on the plaster for 24 hours until dry – pressing on it will dent it
don’t write on the plaster until it is dry
don’t get it wet
don’t poke anything, such as knitting needles or other sharp objects, down the plaster; they may damage your child’s skin and lead to infection
don’t put lotions, creams or powder inside the plaster or around the edges
don’t cut or remove the plaster – ring the hospital if it is uncomfortable
don’t knock or bump the plaster
don’t keep the sling on longer than instructed

What about bathing?

wrap a towel around the plaster
place the arm in a plastic bag large enough to cover it completely
secure the end with tape (such as sellotape)

When should I seek help?

After being sent home (discharged), you should take your child back to the accident and emergency department or contact your medical team urgently if:

they complain of pain that is worsening and not helped by pain relief and elevation
their hand goes cold, pale or blue (or becomes increasingly swollen)
they complain of fuzziness, numbness, pins and needles or tingling in the fractured limb or fingers
they are unable to move their fingers

If the plaster becomes cracked, broken, soft or loose, or it is rubbing, contact your medical team. If this happens in the evening, contact your medical team the next morning.

Follow-up appointments

It is very important that your child returns for their follow-up appointments.

Your child will usually be given a fracture clinic appointment five to 14 days after discharge. At this appointment, another x-ray will be taken to make sure the bone is healing and is in place. Follow-up at fracture clinic will usually be required several more times after this to ensure the break is healing.

Make sure you are given individual instructions for follow-up from your nurse or doctor before you leave hospital.

Saying goodbye to the plaster

When your child’s injury has healed, their plaster will be removed with specially designed plaster shears or saw that will cut through the plaster but cannot cut the skin.

Plaster removal is a fast and painless process.

Back to normal

Your doctor will tell you how much physical activity is advisable for your child while their injury heals. After the plaster is removed, your doctor will probably let your child gradually resume regular activities, provided they do not cause discomfort to the newly healed limb. Please always check with your doctor first.

Acknowledgements

Orthopaedic Services. Canterbury District Health Board. 2005. Care of your cast: Patient information.

Starship Children’s Health. 2005. Plaster care: Patient and family information.

Waikato District Health Board. You and your arm plaster.

Your notes

Endorsement

This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 26/03/2008

Copyright

Fact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation.
© The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2012

The Paediatric Society of New Zealand
http://www.paediatrics.org.nz

Starship Foundation
http://www.starship.org.nz

The Paediatric Society of New Zealand
http://www.paediatrics.org.nz

Starship Foundation
http://www.starship.org.nz

This fact sheet was printed on: 17-May-2012 10:36pm

Plaster care (your child's arm plaster)